New York's Governors Ball fest scrapped due to weather

NEW YORK (AFP) - New York's Governors Ball festival cancelled its final day Sunday, which was to be headlined by rap superstar Kanye West, due to expected severe thunderstorms.

Organisers of the three-day festival on Randall's Island in the city's East River cited the risk of lightning amid heavy rain across the United States East Coast.

"The safety of fans, artists and crew always comes first," Governors Ball said in a notice on its smartphone app. "We are just as devastated as you are." Mayor Bill de Blasio's office had already issued a weather advisory for Sunday, warning of the possibility of flash floods and encouraging New Yorkers to consider staying inside.

The final day of the festival was set to be headlined by West, in one of the first concerts for the ever-in-the-news star since the release of his album The Life Of Pablo in February.

Sunday was also due to feature an appearance, announced only the day before, of Prophets Of Rage, the politically charged new supergroup with members of Rage Against The Machine and frontman Chuck D of rap legends Public Enemy.

Other scheduled performers included garage rockers Eagles Of Death Metal, tragically now known best as the band who played the Bataclan club in Paris during the November 13 massacre by Islamic extremists.

Eagles Of Death Metal was slated for Governors Ball even though two festivals in France recently cancelled appearances by the band after frontman Jesse Hughes alleged a conspiracy by Muslim staff members at the club.

Alternative rock favourites Death Cab For Cutie and rising Australian indie songwriter Courtney Barnett were also on Sunday's line-up.

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